A Redondo Beach police sergeant was scheduled to be arraigned next month on a felony count of grand theft by embezzlement for allegedly taking more than $72,000 from the Redondo Beach Police Officers’ Association while serving as the group’s president and treasurer.

Gene Tomatani — who is in the process of resigning from the department – – was charged earlier this week and made a brief court appearance Wednesday in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom.

Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Alan Rubin allowed Tomatani, 40, to remain free on his own recognizance, and ordered him to return to court for arraignment Jan. 8.

The criminal complaint alleges that the theft occurred between May 1, 2004, and May 31, 2008.

“He’s taking responsibility for his actions. We’ve worked hard to get an early resolution in this case,” said Tomatani’s attorney, Vicki Podberesky.

She noted that her client has “put in for his resignation.”

The case involves $72,388 that was allegedly embezzled from the Redondo Beach Police Officers’ Association in amounts of $1,000 to $3,000 at a time, according to Deputy District Attorney Paul Nunez.

Tomatani was relieved of duty in November 2008 after officials learned about the missing money through an audit, the prosecutor said.